Georgia and Russia: Returning to Tensions

2012-03-13 13:40

Russian Foreign Ministry doesn't believe in Georgia's intentions to improve relations between the countries. This was stated yesterday by the Deputy Director of Press and Information Department of the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova. According to her, the true attitude toward Russia and its citizens was shown with the utmost clarity in a recent speech of the president of Georgia Mikhail Saakashvili in Baku.

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As reported by the IA Rosbalt, Russian Foreign Ministry doesn't believe in Georgia's intentions to improve relations between the countries. This was stated yesterday by the Deputy Director of Press and Information Department of the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova. According to her, the true attitude toward Russia and its citizens was shown with the utmost clarity in a recent speech of the president of Georgia Mikhail Saakashvili in Baku.

"In response to our proposal to restore diplomatic relations the Georgian side has once again laid terms, namely the abolition of the formal recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Thus, Tbilisi is not going to reconsider its decision to sever diplomatic relations with Russia, made in September 2008. The Russian initiative from March 2 this year, which could actually contribute to the normalization of relations, was rejected. This is disappointing, though hardly surprising for anybody", she said.

"The response of the Georgian side to the proposal by the Russian Federation (on the restoration of diplomatic relations between the two countries) has confirmed that declaration of interest in improving relations with Russia, occasionally emanating from Tbilisi - it is just propaganda ploy designed to create the outward appearance of constructive and peaceful dialogue. We cannot take them seriously", Zakharova said.

According to the RBC, the representative of the Foreign Ministry stressed another notable thing - completely silent about the lack of legal security conditions for the Russians in Georgia. "Recall that under the Georgian law, the Russian citizens who visited Abkhazia and South Ossetia are criminals and they are subject to criminal prosecution at the entrance to Georgia. This issue is particularly relevant with regard of the amount of the Russians traveling to Abkhazia (up to a million visits a year, including day trips). As a result, after crossing the border of Georgia any Russian citizen is in real danger to become a suspect in a criminal case, with all its consequences", she said.

Recall, the Georgian authorities have already decided to abolish the visa regime for residents of the North Caucasian republics: Dagestan, Chechnya, Ingushetia, North Ossetia - Alania, Kabardino-Balkaria, Karachaevo-Cherkessia and Adygea. According to Tbilisi's decision, they may stay in the country without a visa within 30 days.

"Georgia will never be closed for Russian investors and Russian tourists. Because I expect that where the business is actively developed, there is no room for the rumble of tanks. Therefore, we give a greater chance for the peace", Saakashvili said.